Questions for reflection

As you slowly read this Gospel passage, allow its words to soak into your mind. You may want to light a candle to help you ponder the passage, reflect on the image above or on the words of Pope Francis below.

1. What is this passage saying to you?

2. What word(s), sentence or phrase in this Gospel passage most caught your attention; most touched your heart; most challenged you; most comforted you? Is there anything in this passage that you found uncomfortable?

3. ‘The parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom.’ What are the traditions and customs of your faith that are most significant for you? In what ways do you live in accordance with the Church’s liturgical cycle?

4. ‘As they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem’. Can you remember having a growing sense of identity and mission when you were coming of age? What did you do to try to fulfil your mission?

5. ‘After three days they found him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.’ Who are the Spiritual guides in your life who enrich your understanding of your faith. What sources do you use to nurture your faith?

6. ‘And his mother said to him, ‘Son, why have you treated us so?’
Can you remember family relationships becoming tense and difficult when you tried to seek independence? Did you feel misunderstood? What did you do to try and make amends?

Pope Francis tells us:

At the end of that pilgrimage, Jesus returned to Nazareth and was obedient to his parents (cf. Lk 2:51). This image also contains a beautiful teaching about our families. A pilgrimage does not end when we arrive at our destination, but when we return home and resume our everyday lives, putting into practice the spiritual fruits of our experience. We know what Jesus did on that occasion. Instead of returning home with his family, he stayed in Jerusalem, in the Temple, causing great distress to Mary and Joseph who were unable to find him. For this little “escapade”, Jesus probably had to beg forgiveness of his parents. The Gospel doesn’t say this, but I believe that we can presume it. Mary’s question, moreover, contains a certain reproach, revealing the concern and anguish which she and Joseph felt. Returning home, Jesus surely remained close to them, as a sign of his complete affection and obedience. Moments like these become part of the pilgrimage of each family; the Lord transforms the moments into opportunities to grow, to ask for and to receive forgiveness, to show love and obedience.